CHRIS LaCLAIR/EAGLE TIMES PHOTO
Each week we spotlight deserving coaches, players, support staff and fans in our area. We want to highlight the people making a difference in the lives of our children, their athletic programs and building a stronger sports community. If you have someone in your would think should be featured, call Eagle Times Sports Editor Chris LaClair at 603-372-2684, or email at [email protected].
Today we focus on Justin Martin, superintendent of recreation programs at the City of Claremont Park’s and Recreation Department. If you have had a child in any of the youth programs, you know Justin well. He continues to create and promote new ideas to continue the positive evolution of the community center.
Question: What is your favorite part about being the superintendent of recreation programs?
Answer: My passion for Parks and Recreation lives in the youth sport realm. I really enjoy working with youth and putting together successful leagues for children to succeed. Creating a safe place where kids can come together and make friends, learn the game, and build life skills is important to me. We want to foster a place where participants win and lose respectfully, learn discipline and most importantly, create habits for a healthy lifestyle.
Question: What accomplishment at the Parks and Recreation are you most proud of?
A: It’s no secret that sports is where my heart is at, and I really enjoy the programming aspect of youth sports. Claremont Parks and Rec. is very fortunate to offer a wide variety of sports programing. We continue to have growing programs and continue to implement new programs for youth and adults in the community as needs and wants are expressed. A couple of examples; our CYSA summer soccer program that has grown to over 200 kids strong. We’ve implemented a youth field hockey program for K-2 just this year. We’re starting a start smart football program and we also offer more adult sport opportunities than ever before. On top of the programing, myself and a group of community members, Jeff Coburn, Richard Stevens, Jay Lugo and Jim Judd have all continued to run softball tournaments at Bill Baril Memorial Softball Field at Veterans Park. These softball tournaments have generated funds that have gone on to support several projects at the field, including, a new electronic scoreboard, new infield, new fencer topper and new foul poles.
Q: Who has inspired you the most in your position?
A: Scott Hausler, former Parks and Recreation director back in the early 2000s, was an instrumental leader in my young career, giving me an opportunity as a green, college aged, worker to be the Superintendent of Recreation Programs which I have been ever since. Scott also helped make the Claremont Savings Bank Community Center a reality as he was at the helm when the Community Center was constructed here in Claremont. He challenged me with a heavy task of helping open the CSBCC to the public back in March of 2013 and boy did I learn a lot about the implementation of a Community Center into a community! Overall, I have been fortunate enough to work under a lot of great leaders. They all have brought different strengths into the picture and have taught me different ways of looking at programs and Parks and Rec. in general. I think for that, I find myself fairly well rounded and continue to have a passion for the Parks and Rec. industry.
Q: Can you tell us the challenges of playing in the programs that you oversee such as basketball and softball, if any?
A: It is challenging especially when you are tasked with making decisions for a league and people think that you may be making that decision to benefit yourself or your team, however, I actually think it is more powerful to be playing in a league that you oversee because it gets you down in the nitty-gritty with everybody and it helps make decisions to better the league because you’re experiencing it with them. There will always be pros and cons of this type of situation, but I truly believe that people respect it more when you are in the trenches with them seeing the good, the bad and the ugly and then being able to relate when helping make changes and improvements.
Q: Do you have any words of encouragement for potential youth program sponsors?
A: Youth program sponsorship monies help offset the cost of registration for all participants. It is important to keep the cost of registration for our programs at an affordable price, so that everyone can play. All contributions help, whether large or small, and do make an impact, especially when multiple businesses come together. Sponsorships also help purchase new equipment that otherwise may not be able to be purchased without a donation. If you are ever interested in sponsoring a youth program, please feel free to reach out to me at 603.504.0283 or via e-mail at [email protected].
Q: What are some of the resources that low income families have to utilize the center and to register their children for sports programs?
A: Resources include the CSBCC scholarship fund for CSBCC memberships. This is an income-based program where we can award up to 75% off the cost of a membership to the community center. Families, adults, youth and seniors are all eligible. We also have a great organization here in Claremont, the local Claremont Kiwanis Club, who offers scholarship helps for all our youth sport programs. The Kiwanis Club has never turned down a scholarship request from me in the 11 years I have submitted them to them. They are truly an amazing asset to Claremont and the surrounding region. We also have access to the Rene J. Lacasse scholarship fund for youth sport scholarships, and I have been working closely with Steven’s varsity football coach, Josh Duford on a scholarship banner program for youth families and kids to play football in the future via scholarship. The resources are abundant, all you have to do is ask.
Q: What is your long-term vision of the Twin State Valley basketball tournament?
A: I always want teams, coaches, parents, spectators, anyone that comes to the TSV to walk away thinking that it was one of the best run tournaments they have ever been to. I want to make sure that Claremont is recognized and known for running high quality tournaments and I want to build on the tournament every year. Creating an atmosphere and experience for the kids and the coaches that is memorable is the goal.
Q: Do you think that dynasties, such as Tagged Out winning their third coed softball championship in a row, are good for the programs?
A: Keep in mind that I played on Tagged Out for two seasons prior to this one and I jumped on a new team (Go Outlaws!) this year to try and compete with them for a championship. Rosters change all the time and the roster that was once is not always the same. I think that our coed softball league is one of the most competitive but also fun and recreational leagues around. We have over 20 teams, many A League and many B League teams that all get along and compete together. It’s really something special. So yes, I do think it benefits the league because having high quality teams in your league helps others strive to be better.
— Chris LaClair, Eagle Times Sports Editor
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